D.D. THAKUR was an eminent Supreme Court lawyer, former Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, former Minister in Sheikh Abdullah's Cabinet, former Deputy Chief Minister of the state and also the Governor of Assam. As a Minister in Sheikh Abdullah's cabinet, he was responsible for various progressive measures adopted to rid the system of corruption and arbitrariness. His role as a bridge between the Sheikh and the Congress Party which was then in majority sustained the accord between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah. He played a crucial role in Dr Abdullah's dismissal and installation of a coalition government, which was both admired and criticised. His tenure as Governor of Assam and chairman of the Northeast Council stemmed the secessionist movement in that state and is remembered for the all-round development of the Northeast region in general and Assam in particular.